System and method for optimizing energy use and delivered current in an implantable device

An active implantable medical device, comprising:

• power circuitry configured to output stimulation;
• and
• a processor coupled the power control circuitry and configured to:
• detect a first insufficient charge condition when an amplitude of the stimulation output by the power circuitry is insufficient to deliver a programmed stimulation;
• determine whether a parameter associated with the control of the power circuitry can be adjusted to improve the charge condition;
• if the power-control parameter can be adjusted, then adjust the power-control parameter in a first direction until an insufficient charge is not encountered;
• if the power-control parameter cannot be adjusted, then determine whether a working setting of the amplitude exceeds a programmed minimum setting of the amplitude;
• and
• if the working setting exceeds the minimum setting, then adjust the working setting in a first direction until an insufficient charge is not encountered.

A method for optimizing the power used by an implantable medical device when delivering electrical stimulation to a human patient, comprising:

• recognizing a first insufficient charge condition when an amplitude of the stimulation the implantable medical device is programmed to deliver cannot in fact be delivered to a patient;
• in response to the first insufficient charge condition, adjusting in a first direction a parameter associated with the control of a power source available to deliver an instance of a stimulation therapy until an insufficient charge is not encountered;
• and
• whenever an insufficient charge condition is not encountered, periodically adjusting in a second direction opposite the first direction the power-source-controlling parameter until another insufficient charge is encountered or until a maximum power reservoir has been reached or exceeded.